Greiner Packaging International has announced its decision to avoid using the chemical compound Bisphenol A (BPA) in the production of food packaging.
By the end of March 2014, the company plans to replace all production lines with BPA-free raw materials. The changeover is expected to affect about five-gallon water bottles, which are still being produced from polycarbonate.
Greiner is planning to use Eastman's Tritan copolyester, which is crystal-clear, heat-resistant and dishwasher-proof. The material was also approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Food and Safety Association.
The material is said to allow for a high degree of design flexibility and can be used in injection stretch blow molding and extrusion blow molding to produce the bottles.
Greiner Packaging International CEO Willi Eibner said the company intends to protect the health of consumers by creating smart packaging solutions.
"Therefore, we will be the first leading company in our industry changing completely over to BPA-free materials in food packaging," Eibner added.
